What is PCOS?
PCOS, which stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive years. Over 7 million women in the U.S. are estimated to have PCOS, which often starts during puberty.
PCOS can cause several chronic health issues. The key features of PCOS include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles: Women with PCOS commonly have infrequent, irregular, or prolonged menstrual periods due to lack of ovulation. This can lead to infertility.
- Excess androgen levels: Elevated male hormones like testosterone are common in PCOS. This leads to symptoms like excess facial and body hair growth, scalp hair loss, acne, and oily skin.
- Polycystic ovaries: Many (but not all) women with PCOS develop multiple small cysts on their ovaries that are visible on ultrasound.
While the exact cause is unknown, PCOS seems to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that affect hormone levels. There are also strong metabolic components like insulin resistance that drive PCOS in many women.
Some key complications that may develop due to untreated PCOS include:
- Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
- High cholesterol and cardiovascular disease
- Endometrial cancer
- Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and poor self-image
If you suspect you may have PCOS, get evaluated by a doctor. They can perform exams, lab tests of your blood, and ultrasounds of your pelvis to confirm the diagnosis.
The main treatments for PCOS aim to manage symptoms and reduce long-term risks by addressing the hormonal and metabolic abnormalities. Common PCOS treatment options include:
- Birth control pills: Oral contraceptives can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce excess hair growth and acne by lowering male hormone levels.
- Metformin: This insulin-sensitizing diabetes medication is commonly used "off-label" to treat PCOS and regulate ovulation.
- Lifestyle modifications: Losing at least 5% body weight through diet changes and exercise alone can significantly improve PCOS symptoms related to hormone imbalance and periods. This should be first line treatment.
- Hormone Care Center also offers cutting-edge bioidentical hormone therapy tailored to address the unique hormonal needs underlying each woman's specific PCOS manifestations. Get a custom therapy plan to target your root hormonal abnormalities for lasting symptom relief.
While PCOS cannot be cured, early intervention and diligent management can significantly improve quality of life and minimize long-term health risks. Work with a multidisciplinary medical team, including reproductive endocrinologists and registered dietitians, to develop an individualized PCOS treatment plan. Lifestyle changes combined with medication and/or hormones, if needed, can help women effectively control this condition.